Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08YAOUNDE1236
2008-12-22 13:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:  

CAMEROON: ANTI-CORRUPTION DEMONSTRATION REPRESSED

Tags:  CM KCOR PGOV PHUM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2362
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHYD #1236 3571325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221325Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9526
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE 0267
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001236 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CM KCOR PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: ANTI-CORRUPTION DEMONSTRATION REPRESSED

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001236

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CM KCOR PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: ANTI-CORRUPTION DEMONSTRATION REPRESSED


1. (U) On December 10, a local NGO, Association Citoyenne
de Defense des Interets Collectifs (ACDIC),held a
demonstration in Yaounde to protest corruption in the
Agriculture Ministry. According to media and NGO sources, the
police dispursed the demonstration forcibly, resulting in
several injuries
to demonstrators. Police arrested demonstration organizer
Bernard Njonga and four others, charging them with
disturbance of public order and demonstrating without
authorization. The detainees were released on December 11.
Emboffs tried to visit Njonga during his detention on
December 10 but were denied access by the local police. Post
has subsequently tried unsuccessfully to meet with Njonga.


2. (SBU) In a December 17 meeting with Secretary General at
the Ministry of External Relations Sebastien Foumane,
Pol/Econ Chief expressed concern about the government,s
violent response to the ACDIC demonstration, noting that the
response made the international press and tarnished
Cameroon,s image. Pol/Econ Chief pointed to frustrations by
many NGOs in getting legal permits to demonstrate and urged
the government to respond to future demonstrations without
violence. Foumane responded that Cameroon is a country of
law and that many citizens do not understand the legal
procedure to carry out a protest. Foumane also agreed that,
at times, local security forces react with excessive force
and contrary to state policies.
GARVEY